Bush wishes for freedom from tyranny

TOYAKO, Japan, July 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush, in Japan to meet with other world leaders, Monday wished for freedom from tyranny at a wishing tree with his colleagues in Toyako.

Bush traveled to Japan for the Group of Eight meeting and much of Monday's session focused on Africa -- both the need for G8 members to honor pledges and the situation in Zimbabwe.

Following an evening photo session at which Bush ignored reporters' shouts to look their way, Bush approached the tree in which world leaders placed their wishes.

"I wish for a world free from tyranny: the tyranny of hunger, disease and free from tyrannical governments. I wish for a world in which the universal desire for liberty is realized. I wish for the advance of new technologies that will improve the human condition and protect our environment. I wish God's blessings on all. George W. Bush," the president's missive read.

Later, world leaders and their spouses huddled under umbrellas to watch costumed dancers and fireworks.